Aston Villa boss Lambert unable to discuss Culverhouse & Karsa

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he cannot discuss the reasons why Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa have been suspended by the club.

The coaching duo were suspended on Tuesday, pending an internal investigation, and replaced by Gordon Cowans and Shay Given.

"You will need to appreciate that because of a legal investigation I cannot comment on it," said Lambert.

Villa, who have lost their last four games, host Southampton on Saturday.

Like Lambert, Villa have made no public comment on the reasons for suspending assistant manager Culverhouse and head of football operations Karsa.

The Villa boss did say that his relationship with club owner Randy Lerner remained "excellent".

But he added: "Like me, Randy knows we need to be doing better. We owe it to our fans, who've been fantastic to us this season."

Villa go into Saturday's game against Southampton lying 14th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone.

Of their final five games, two are at Villa Park, before Lambert's side finish their season with away fixtures at Manchester City and Tottenham.

Former Villa midfielder and European Cup winner Cowans, 55, has stepped up from his role as development coach to assist Lambert.

Goalkeeper Given, 37, has not played for the club in nearly 15 months and recently returned from a loan spell with Middlesbrough.